September 26th at Florida
Daniel: This is one of the toughest games to pick on the schedule for me. Florida’s offense should be hot garbage with that offensive line and questions at quarterback. Tennessee’s defensive front should be able to keep the Gators from denting the scoreboard very often. But what about the Vols’ offense against the Gators’ defense? I think Florida, even without Dante Fowler Jr., still causes a lot of problems for UT’s offensive line. Tennessee’s receivers have struggled with Florida’s secondary for years, and this year’s group of DBs for the Gators is very talented. I see a lower-scoring, close game in The Swamp. I’ve vowed that I won’t pick Tennessee in this series again until I see it happen. For now, I’m sticking with my word, but a bad performance against Kentucky for the Gators and/or a win over OU for the Vols might be enough for me to break my promise on game week. Winner: Florida, for now
Houston: I’m done talking about streaks. I’m done talking about curses. I’m done picking Florida because of what the last ten years says is going to happen. I’m looking at 2015…and what I see is a Tennessee team that is BUILT to beat Florida. Florida’s lack of talent and depth along the offensive line should allow Steve Stripling’s group to own the line of scrimmage from start-to-finish, making life difficult for whoever Florida decides to start at quarterback that day. Tennessee’s offensive line should be better than they were last year, while Florida’s defensive line will likely take a small step back with the loss of Dante Fowler. Add the wheels of Joshua Dobbs, and Tennessee’s offense should be able to get some things going offensively. Winner: Tennessee, finally. (34-20)
Reed: This game won’t be pretty. Florida still has top-10 talent (the Vols are 15th per Dave Bartoo of CFB Matrix) and their defensive line and secondary should prove disruptive against Tennessee’s offense. On the other side, the Vols should own a hapless Gator offense that has serious problems along the offensive line. The tiebreaker for me? Joshua Dobbs. He’s better than anyone the Gators will throw out there and should help neutralize some of Florida’s advantage along the defensive front. Vols end the streak in an ugly slugfest and Butch Jones is greeted back in Knoxville with a statue situated near Gate 21. Winner: Volunteers
